Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Situation: Is Bill Davis The Most Likely Candidate?

It has been reported that former San Fransisco 49ers heach coach Mike Singletary will be reunited with former teammate Leslie Frazier who is the Minnesota Vikings new head coach.

Singletary was on a local Chicago radio show with ESPN 1000, The Waddle & Silvy Show, and confirmed the reports saying;

 "I will be in Minnesota with Les," said Singletary. "I will be a linebackers coach/assistant head coach."

So what does this mean for Philadelphia you might be asking?

For starters it means that head coach Andy Reid needs to get back to Philadelphia—pronto! Not that Mike Singletary was the expected man to bring Philadelphia's fierce mentality back to Philly, but the other two front runners for the defensive coordinator are close to being out of Reid's reach.

Jim Mora Jr who was the heir appearent to resume duties as defensive coordinator in Philly reportedly close to signing with the Denver Broncos sometime this week. Most fans would agree that Mora's style of football would blend with the Eagles personality.

However if Reid doesn't return to the NovaCare Complex soon, Mora might be long gone.

The same is being reported about the Eagles current defensive backs coach Dick Jauron who was also in the front of the line to remain in Philly, however reports are spreading that he will be interviewing with the Cleveland Browns for their defensive coordinator position.

Jauron would make sense but in the same breath it wouldn't, allow me to explain.

Of the mentioned names, Jauron knows both the players and the Eagles system the best being with the team right around this time last year.

The problem is Jauron would most likely be implementing a similiar scheme as the one Andy Reid just cut ties with in Sean McDermott. Jauron clearly has the more extensive resume than McDermott but I'm still not sold that Reid wants more of the same—or else he (Jauron) would have already been signed!

If both Mora and Jauron sign with those teams, where does that leave the Eagles? Who else is available to sign who can come in here and bring the once feared defense back?

It leaves just a lone individual, a two time defensive coordinator—Mr. Billy Davis.

Davis replace Jim Mora Jr. as the San Fransisco 49ers defensive coordinator back in the 2005-06' season when he received his first D.C. award. He again received the honor in the 2009-10' season when he was with the Arizona Cardinals.

Is Davis the answer? It sure looks like he would fit the part with his honors, and him also being the linebackers coach for the Cardinals. Absolutely Davis could find a home in Philly right, eh, not so fast doc!

In 2006 he was criticised by Monte Poole of the Oakland Tribune for his defensive methods, appearing to employ a hybrid 4-3 and 3-4 defense.

 "The defensive coordinator Billy Davis, who drifts between the 4-3 scheme and the 3-4 scheme, not only has been incapable of masking these deficiencies but also seems to find ways to accentuate them."

There is still time for Andy Reid to make his move in his next attempt to find a long term coordinator for his defense. Other than Mike Singletary, who was more of a fan hope than a prospect, none of the other three gentlemen have signed elsewhere.

Maybe More Jr. is just seeing what his value is and hopefully he will at least visit with Andy before making a decision, maybe he won't.

Until Andy Reid returns to the nest we will be forced to sit and wonder.

Stay tuned to PhillyToDo for all the latest!

Dan is also the founder of Bleeding Eagle Green. A Philadelphia Eagles fan site for the fans, by a fan

Photo Source: